The need for new doctors in Prince Edward County is just as prevalent as it is in other communities province wide.
Council heard at Shire Hall on Tuesday night from the Director of the Prince Edward Family Health Team (PEFHT) Debbie Korzeniowski they are ramping up efforts to attract physicians and health care professionals to the area.
Other healthcare professions needed include: physiotherapists, optometrists, audiologists, along with assisting staff such as dental hygienists and assistants, registered pharmaceutical technicians, PSWs in palliative care, nursing staff in palliative care and registered nurses and registered practical nurses.
She said approximately 12% of healthcare professionals are planning on closing their businesses after retirement and in the next five years, 28% of business owners in the professional services sector are planning on retiring.
She told those around the horseshoe there are between three and five new doctors planning to join PEFHT this year, but that in reality is only keeping up with the number of retiring physicians.
Korzeniowski says an increase in community and council financial support is needed, while acknowledging the need for doctors is a local and provincial issue.
The number of doctors allowed by the province under PEFHT is capped out at 23.
Dr. Don Koval said one of the ways the government will try and reduce money spent is to reduce the supply of doctors.
He said the cap was originally put in place because of budgetary reasons and to encourage doctors to set up practice in areas that were under serviced.
Koval also noted there are a lot of people moving to the area that are middle age or older, and there are not enough doctors to look after everyone in a way they feel is proper.
